China White
Typical diluents for
Southeast Asian heroin no. 4, in white powderfonn.
Tenn is used by English-speaking westerners to
contrast the white powder fonn with the light brown,
granular fonn of heroin (see "brown sugar heroin,"
above). May be injected, snorted, or smoked. The
tenn "China White" has also been used in recent
years as an alternate name for fentanyl, a syntheti-
cally-produced compound with heroin-like
properties.
chloroform
Also known as trichloromethane. A clear, colorless,
heavy, and very volatile liquid with a characteristic
sweet odor. It is an irritant to the skin and eyes and
may also be carcinogenic. Not miscible with water,
fonning a separate layer on the bottom. Miscible
with alcohol. Shipped in bottles, tins, or drums;
stainless steel forvery high-purity products. Used in
industry as a solvent for fats, oils, rubber, alkaloids,
waxes, and resins. Used extensively as a solvent in
the rubber industry; used to make the refrigerant
Fluorocarbon-22. Can be used as a solvent in the
synthesis of heroin.
choi
A standard unit of weight used in Southeast Asia for
opium (only). Equivalent to 1.60 kilograms (3.528
pounds). See Figure 7.
conversion (heroin conversion)
A chemical conversion process wherein heroin base
is converted into a soluble salt fonn of heroin,
generally heroin hydrochloride.
diluent
A chemical diluent is an ingredient used to reduce
the concentration of an active material. Another
common definition of diluent is a substance added to
finished product (e.g., heroin) to increase bulk. In
this sense, there is no clear distinction between a
diluent and an extender. In heroin manufacture,
"diluents" refer to extenders.
heroin are mannitol, sucrose, lactose, and starch.
ether (ethyl ether)
Also known as diethyl ether; ethyl oxide; diethyl
oxide; sulfuric ether, anesthetic ether; or simply
"ether." A colorless, mobile, very volatile and
highly flammable liquid. Characteristic, sweetish,
pungent odor, more agreeable than chlorofonn. Ether
vapors are heavier than air; tends to fonn explosi ve
peroxides under the influence of air and light. When
shaken under absolutely dry conditions, ether can
generate enough static electricity to start a fire.
Shipped in cans, drums, barrels, and tank. cars. Not
miscible with water, forming a separate layer on the
surface. In addition to its well-known use as an
anesthetic, ether is used as a solvent in fats, waxes,
dyes, perfumes, oils, resins, etc. Ether is also used as
a solvent in conversion of heroin base to heroin
hydrochloride.
ethyl alcohol
See ualcohol."
ethyl ether
See "ether."
Golden Triangle
Area of mainland Southeast Asia comprising the
Shan Plateau and Kachin Hills ofnortheastern Bunna,
the highlands of northwestern Laos, and the high-
lands of northern Thailand. Tenn was popularized
by Westemjournalists in the 1970s to designate one
of the principal source areas in the world for illicit
opium and its derivatives, mOIphine and heroin.
gram
A standard unit of weight in the metric system equal
to one-thousandth of a kilogram. 28.350 grams
equal one ounce.
25
hai
Northern Thai-Shan term used with land areas. See
"rai" and "lai" (Lao).
hectare
A metric unit of area equal to 2.471 acres (10,000
square meters). See Figure 4.
heroin
Also known as diacetylmorphine. A highly-addic-
tive synthetic narcotic derived from morphine.
heroin base (Southeast Asia)
Diacetylmorphine. Also known as "crude
heroin." Actually, is morphine base that has
undergone acetylation. Formed as a precipitate
(solid) by adding soda ash (sodium carbonate) to
an acetylated morphine solution. Sometimes
called Southeast Asian heroin no. 2. Not readily
soluble in water, and therefore not injectable in
this form. This form of heroin can be smoked.
However, heroin base is generally considered an
intermediate form of heroin which may be fur-
ther refmed to either no. 3 or no. 4 heroin.
heroin hydrochloride
A chemical salt form of heroin, usually powder
or crystal, that is water soluble and therefore
suitable for injection. Sometimes called South-
east Asian heroin no. 4. Formed when heroin
base is treated with hydrochloric acid. This type
of heroin is most commonly used by heroin
abusers who inject the drug.
Southeast Asian heroin no. 3
A smokeabl~ fonn of Southeast Asian heroin.
Not as highly refined asno. 4. Colorrangesfrom
purple to tan to off-white. Although considered
a smoking heroin, it may also be injected intra-
venously. Caffeine is a necessary component of
heroin no. 3. In contrast, strychnine or quinine
are adulterants which are sometimes added to
heroin no. 3, allegedly to modify the taste of the
product.
26
Southeast Asian heroin no. 4
An injectable form of Southeast Asian heroin.
Also known as heroin hydrochloride or "China
White." Highly refined heroin produced from
Southeast Asian opium. Usually a fine white
powder, flakes, or crystals. May be smoked or
snorted, although, from the standpoint of the
abuser, these are expensive and wasteful uses of
this form of heroin. Diluents, such as lactose, are
not normally added until the heroin is diluted, or
"cut."
highlander (Southeast Asia)
A hill dweller. Hill tribesmen are a typical example
of highlanders in Southeast Asia. However, some
hill tribesmen have migrated into the lowlands, and
are now permanent dwellers in lowland communi-
ties. Conversely, some members of ethnic groups
which are generally lowland dwellers have perma-
nently settled in highland areas in m_.•lland Southeast
Asia.
hill tribe (Southeast Asia)
Anyone of numerous ethnic groups which share a
distinct culture, language, and social structure and
who are regarded, as a group, to be hill dwellers or
montagnards (French). The Hmong (Miao), the Iu
Mien (Yao), Lahu (Musoe), inter alia, are hill tribe
groups in mai.J.and Southeast Asia.
hydrochloric acid
A solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCI) in water.
Also known as muriatic acid. Fumes in the air. A
colorless liquid (sometimes yellow) with an acrid
odor. Acid is poisonous and corrosive. Shipped in
glass bottles or glass carboys, or rubber-lined steel
drums. Used in petroleum production, as a chemical
intermediate, and in ore reduction, food processing,
pickling, and metal cleaning. Hydrochloric acid is
used to convert morphine base to morphine hydro-
chloride (e.g., '999' morphine blocks or bricks) orto
convert heroin base to heroin hydrochloride.
jin
A metric unit of weight in Chinese system. Equiva-
lent to one-halfkilogram (500 grams). Chinese term,
romanized: jin (Pinyin) or chin (Wade-Giles Man-
darin). See Figure 7.
joi
Standard unit of weight for opium. See "choi."
kilogram
A metric unit of weight equal to 1,000 grams, or
2.2046 pounds.
lactose
Also known as milk sugar, saccharum lactis. Present
in milk in mammals. White, hard crystalline mass or
white powder; sweet taste, odorless. Stable in air.
Soluble in water; insoluble in ether and chloroform;
very slightly soluble in alcohol. Used commercially
in infant foods, baking and confectionery, margarine
and butter manufacture, etc. Shipped in multiwall
paper sacks or bulk. Commonly used as a diluent (or
"extender") by heroin dealers to increase bulk of
"injectable heroin" (e.g., Southeast Asian heroin no. 4).
lai
A standard unit of land area measurement in Laos
equivalent to 1,600 square meters. Corresponds to
rai measurement used in Thailand (see below). See
Figure 4.
h,lle, slaked
Also kpown ac; calcium hydroxide, calcium hydrate,
caustic lime, hydrated lime. Crystals or soft, odor-
less, granules or powder, with a slightly bitter taste.
Slightly soluble in water. Readily absorbs C02 from
air, forming CaC03. Used in industry to manufac-
ture cement, pesticides, fertilizers, and in water
treatment. Normally packaged in tightly closed and
dry containers, such as wooden barrels or multiwall
paper sacks. Used as a reagent in the extraction of
morphine from opium by forming an intermediate
calcium salt (calcium morphenate).
liter
A metric unit of volume. Equivalent to 1.056liquid
quarts. See Figure 11.
lowlander (Southeast Asia)
A lowland dweller, in either a rural or urban commu-
nity. The ethnic Lao are a typical example of
lowlanders in Southeast Asia. However, some Lao
have migrated into the highlands and are now
permanent dwellers in highland communities. Con-
versely, some members of ethnic groups which are
generally highland dwellers (e.g., the Hmong hill
tribe) have permanently moved into lowland areas in
Laos and Thailand.
mannitol
Also known as mannite, manna sugar. A white,
crystalline, sweetish, water-soluble carbohydrate
alcohol. Used as a nutrient, a dietary supplement,
and as the basis of dietetic sweets. Mannitol is
commonly used as a mild laxative for infant'). Shipped
in multi wall paper sacks or bulk. Commonly used as
a diluent (or "extender") by heroin dealers to in-
crease bulk of "injectable heroin" (e.g., Southeast
Asian heroin no. 4).
morphine
An organic compound (alkaloid) found in the Papaver
somniferum (opium poppy). Morphine must first be
extracted from opium. The soluble salts of morphine
(morphine carbonate, morphine sulfate, morphine
hydroch1oride, etc.) are used in human and veteri-
nary medicine as a light anesthetic or as a sedative.
morphine base
Morphine base is an intermediate product be-
tween morphine alkaloid in opium and a
morphine brick (morphine hydrochloride). The
base is formed as a precipitate (solid) when
ammonium chloride is added to a solution of
calcium morphenate. This base is usually quite
crude (50% to 70% pure) because of the mar-
ginal conditions under which it is prepared.
Morphine base is not easily soluble in water, and
thus is not readily absorbed by the human body.
Morphine base must therefore be converted to a
27
 (water-soluble) salt fOIm. viz.• morphine hydro-
chloride or heroin hydrochloride. by treating
with hydrochloric acid.
morphine brick
Morphine hydrochloride. compressed (by a
morphine press) into a standard-sized brick shape
measuring approximately 2 inches by 4 inches
by 5 inches and weighing approximately 1.3
kilograms (about 3 pounds). Also known as a
morphine block. Properly compressed mor-
phine hydrochloride is very dry and hard.
morphine press
A metal or wood piece of equipment which can
squeeze water from morphine hydrochloride.
leaving the morphine dry and in unifoIm. brick-
sized blocks.
morphine salt
A water-soluble chemical fonn of morphine. In
extracting morphine from opium, slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide) powder is added to opium
dissolved in water. Lime reacts with morphine
in opium (morphine content ranges from 9% to
16% by weight of the opium) to form calcium
morphenate in solution. Calcium morphenate is
a chemical salt form of morphine. Other mor-
phine salts include morphine sulfate. morphine
hydrochloride. and morphine acetate - all le-
gitimate compounds used in medicine.
nuai
A general. non-specific term in Thai-Lao-Shan which
means "unit." However. has special meaning when
used in reference to heroin. A nuai is a standard unit
of weight for Southeast Asian heroin. equivalent to
700 grams (.7 kilogram).
opium
A bitter. yellowish-brown, strongly-addictive natu-
rally-occurring narcotic derived from the dried latex
juice of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
Source of morphine and heroin. Opium poppy is
cultivated legally in India. Turkey. China. Common-
wealth of Independent States (formerly the Soviet
Union). and Tasmania. Australia; and is cultivated
28
illegally in Afghanistan. Burma. Colombia. Guate-
mala. Iran. Laos, Lebanon. Mexico, Pakistan and
Thailand.
liquid opium
Also known as "opium solution." Refers to
opium which has been dissolved in water. either
to prepare the opium for smoking. i.e .• "cook-
ing" the opium. or as the first step in extracting
morphine from the opium. Liquid opium is
usually a clear, brown liquid.
prepared opium
Also known as "cooked opium." "processed
opium." and "smoking opium." Raw opium is
dissolved in hot water in order to remove impu-
rities and vegetable matter. It is heated to reduce
its water content. As the solution cools, the
opium reverts to a solid. Most opium smokers
prefer to smoke prepared opium. By contrast.
morphine and heroin laboratory operators can
process both cooked and raw opium.
raw opium
Also known as "opium gum." "crude opium."
and "opium sap." Opium which has not been
"cooked." Often contains plant scraping. leaf
pieces. and otherimpurities. Initially. is soft and
pliable due to high moisture content. but may be
dried to a hard consistency. Has strong odor.
Does not keep as well as prepared opium. Weighs
more than prepared opium (contains more wa-
ter). It is smoked or eaten by addicts.
pitzu
A Chinese term used to refer to impure, or "crude,"
morphine base. Romanized spellings include pizi
(pinyin) and p' i-tzu (Wade-Giles Mandarin).
pong
A standard unit of weight used in Southeast Asia for
opium only. Equivalent to 0.375 kilogram (13.23
ounces). Thai-Shan-Lao term. See Figure 7.
poppy (opium poppy)
An annual plant, Papaver somniferum, originally of
Asia Minor, having grayish-green leaves and vari-
ously colored flowers. The sole source of opium.
poppy pod
Sometimes called the "seedpod," "capsule,"
"bulb," or "head." Refers to the egg-sized fruit
which enlarges as the flower petals fall from the
plant. The poppy pod is the mature ovary of the
opium poppy plant. The ovarian wall produces
the white latex (opium).
scoring of poppy pod
Cutting into the surface of an opium poppy pod,
using a sharp bladed instrument, in order to
allow the opium to exude from the pod. Also
known as "lancing," "incising," or "tapping."
scraping of poppy pod
Using flat-bladed instrument to collect gummy
opium from pod surface.
weeding & thinning of poppies
Removing weeds, grasses, and some poppy plants
in order to provide more growing space for
remaining poppies.
precipitation (chemical precipitation)
The separation of a solid from a solution. The
resulting solid is called the precipitate.
pn'Cursor
A precursor is a chemical that is the raw material for
a new product. Morphine is a precursor in the
production of heroin.
processing (heroin processing)
A general tenn which refers to the overall process of
manufacturing heroin. Includes the acetylation pro-
cess, a number of interemediate purification and
precipitation processes, and the process of chemi-
cally converting heroin base to a soluble salt fonn of
heroin, generally heroin hydrochloride. Heroin pro-
cessing can also include the extraction of morphine
from opium, and may include other operations, such
as fIltering, drying, pressing, and packaging the
finished heroin product.
purification (chemical purification)
The removal of extraneous materials (impurities)
from a substance or a mixture by one or more
separation techniques. Such techniques include crys-
talHzation, precipitation, distillation, adsorption,
extraction, etc. For example, heroin base is usually
treated with decolorizing charcoal (a purification
process) after it is acetylated from morphine base.
rai
A standard unit of land area measurement in Thai-
land equivalent to 1,600 square meters. Corresponds
to lai measurement used in Laos (see above). Rai is
also a general tenn in Thai-Lao-Shan for cultivated
land (except irrigated ricefields). Called hai in
northern and northeastern Thailand. Called hai in
Laos only when used to referto cultivated fields. See
Figure 4.
reagent (chemical reagent)
A reagent is a chemical which reacts with a precursor
to fonn a new compound. For example, acetic
anhydride is a reagent used in the manufacture of
heroin.
slash-and-burn agriculture
Also known as "swidden" agriculture. Agricultural
method of clearing farmland. Involves cutting down
all the trees and underbrush on a wooded hillside
and, when it is thoroughly dried, burning it off in
preparation for planting. This type of shifting culti-
vation is widely used by highland tribal groups in
Southeast Asia.
29
soda ash
Crude, anhydrous sodium carbonate. Also known as
Solvay soda; washing soda; soda. A white or trans-
parent, odorless, crystalline powder with a salty,
bitter taste. Shipped in 25-1b, 50-lb, and l()()"lb bags;
275-lb and 400-lb drums, or bulk. An industrial
chemical used in manufacturing sodium bicarbon-
ate, sodium nitrate, glass; ceramics; water softening
agents; detergents; and soaps. An alkaline material
commonly used in the production of heroin base.
solvent (chemical solvent)
A solvent does not react chemically with a precursor
chemical or reagent and does not become part of the
finished product. Solvents are used to dissolve solid
precursors or reagents, to dilute reaction mixtures,
and to separate and purify other chemicals.
strychnine
Strychnine, orits salts, has been used as an adulterant
in the illicit manufacture of "smoking heroin" (e.g.,
South.east Asian heroin no. 3). Strychnine salts most
commonly used are the nitrate or sulfate.
swidden agriculture
An agricultural method. See "slash-and-burn" agri-
culture.
30
lua
See "nuai."
unit
Special meaning when used in reference to heroin. A
"unit" is a standard unit of weight for Southeast
Asian heroin. Called nuai in Thai and Lao; chien in
Chinese. Equivalent to 700 grams (.7 kilogram).
Derivation of use not known.
viss
A standard unit of weight used in southern India and
Burma. Equivalent to 1.657 kilograms (3.652
pounds). Commonly used when weighing meat,
flour, rice, and other such bulk items. In Burma, the
viss is also used in the opium trade. Burmese term:
beittha. (The term viss is not used in Thailand, Laos,
or China.) Derived from Tamil term, visai. Also
spelled vise (Telugu) and vis. Often rounded to 3.6
pounds in modem usage. See Figure 7.
 DisTRIBUTION

The White House

National Security Council
Office of National Dmg Control Policy

Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation/DIU
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Immigration and Naturalization Service
INTERPOL/USNCB
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task
Forces
U.S. Marshals Service

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Customs Service
U.S. Secret Service

Department of Defense
Defense Intelligence Agency
National Security Agency

Central Intelligence Agency/CNC

Department of State

U.S. Coast Guard

DEA Headquarters
DEA Field Offices
DEA Laboratories

EI Paso Intelligence Center

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
National Drug Intelligence Center

31